[XXVII- 88] [1790 Dec. 20] My dear Brother The Account you give of M^r Stockton's Resignation surprizes me much. I cannot register his Reasons for resigning an Office; the Duties of which he has so far easily executed. The Expence consequentially attendant upon the Appointment is trivial; & of course the Emoluments are but small. The Time, necessarily consumed in attending the District & Circuit Courts, is the only important Consideration with a Man of Business. This may have influenced him, & probably did so. — However even that Sacrifice I would chearfully make, if I thought that my Acceptance of the Office would in any Degree contribute to render the Federal Courts more respectable in the State of New Jersey. How far this Appointment might here after interfere with the local Politicks of NewJersey, I cannot now determine. — The last Assembly had under Consideration an Act, disqualifying every Person who held an Office under the United States from sitting in the Legislature of New Jersey. — That Bill